CALLING ALL LADIES WHO ARE DIRT CURIOUS AND DIRT ESTABLISHED! WANNA DO SOMETHIN' COOL, SOMETHIN' FUN?
Join us for year 4 of International Women's MTB Day - a day to celebrate all women identifying mountain bikers. This year, we are operating under our new non-profit "shredHER Des Moines Mountain Bike Association", started because of the incredible community support, turnout, and success of this event. Mainly, though, for the desire and need for more mountain bike accessibility for women in the sport - new and seasoned.
This year, 2026, we will be operating per usual - ride a lap of Center Trails (Hillside, Rollercoaster, Denman's, J-11) if you're confident in your skills and an intermediate mountain biker, (Group A) OR ride a lap of J-11 and Denman's if you're novice or only slightly seasoned in the sport (Group B, C, and kids' group) and you're automatically entered into the prize drawing at the end of the ride. Will you win nutrition? Oakley sunglasses? A professional bike fit? New riding attire? A gift card to one of MANY local businesses who keep the stoke high here? Come find out!
Enjoy catered food, live music, local business vendors who want to build the women's mountain biking community, new bonds and friendships, an announcement for the 2026 Women's MTB No-Drop ride schedule set for May-October, 2026, and SO. MUCH. MORE!
Have an excuse on why you can't go? Let me help you.
"I don't have a bike proper for the event..."
Cannondale and Bike World have donated a fleet of mountain bikes to shredHER for women to borrow for events and rides. So we've got you covered.
"I don't think my bike is set to ride - it's been hanging for a while..."
We have a SUPER skilled FEMALE mechanic(s) on site at the event to help you out and get you set to ride (withing reason, no parts replacements - you can schedule with Kristi at Bike World Urbandale if something needs replaced before the ride). Kristi will be at the event with a pile of tools and a mountain of knowledge.
"I've never done something like this, and I'm intersted... but nervous."
We have a CERTIFIED skills instrucor on-site to briefly run through mountain bike basics, free of charge! Show up a bit early and get some good bike education."
"I'm very shy, socially anxious, introverted, ya'know... the whole bit."
Jolie Costello - shredHER founder and executive director, now we're friends - let's hang at the event.
Emily Orth - shredHER board member, women's advocate, now you're friends - let's hang at the event.
Emily Scott - shredHER treasurer, lover of new friends, now you're friends - let's hang at the event.
Ken Theis - shredHER skills coach, board member, supporter of women being rad, now you're friends - let's hang at the event.
"I have a child and they want to ride, but I don't know how to make this work..."
We have adults, parents, kids' mountain bike coaches both leading and sweeping the kids' ride - take a load off your mom feet and go ride with your pals - your kiddos are in good hands during the kids' ride!
Reach out directly to Jolie Costello for questions, concerns, donation opportunities and more:
jolie@shredherdsm.org
319-512-1926